On Thursday, 19 November 2026, the stalls of the Salzburger Christkindlmarkt (Christmas market) open on Domplatz and Residenzplatz. The first Sunday of Advent does not follow until 29 November. Ten days separate the market’s opening from the start of Advent in the church calendar – enough scope to avoid concentrating a pre-Christmas visit to Salzburg into a single weekend, but also an incentive to plan earlier than usual.
The market does not end until 1 January 2027. It therefore spans a long stretch of the city’s winter: between the cathedral, the Residenz and Kapitelplatz, there are not only stalls but also routes through the historic Old Town used daily by residents and visitors. Planning a trip therefore involves more than just the opening date: anyone wishing to attend cultural events or arrive by public transport should consider the relevant dates and travel information together.
A market opening ahead of the cultural highlight
The early opening does not mean that the entire Advent programme is under way from day one. The Salzburger Adventsingen (Advent singing performances) at the Großes Festspielhaus begins on 27 November; in 2026, it celebrates its 80th anniversary. Performances are spread across several weekends and 8 December, running until 13 December. Anyone wishing to combine the market with a concert therefore has a different choice of travel dates from those aiming solely for the opening.
Music also has its own dates at the market itself. Traditional Turmblasen (brass music played from a tower) is scheduled for Thursdays and Saturdays during Advent. The City of Salzburg also lists other markets and events, including the Christmas market on Mirabellplatz and Hellbrunner Adventzauber. The events calendar thus reveals a staggered start to the season: the market provides the early framework, with individual cultural and traditional events following later.
Getting there: free travel only on selected Saturdays
The Christkindlmarkt is in the Old Town; trolleybus routes run from the main railway station towards the centre. The market organisers recommend travelling by train and trolleybus, pointing out that car parks are often full on Advent weekends. On the four Saturdays during Advent – 28 November and 5, 12 and 19 December – buses and trains within Salzburg’s core zone can be used free of charge, according to the organiser. Regular fares apply to journeys from outside the core zone. The offer therefore does not apply on the opening Thursday, nor does it remove the need to check your specific connection.
The early market opening spreads potential visiting days over more weeks; this does not, however, mean that individual days will be less busy. Anyone wanting to experience the Old Town without making the market their only activity can use the dates of the Adventsingen or other events as a reason to schedule their stay differently. For Saturday visits, it is worth checking information from the transport association and market organisers before finalising travel arrangements.
A longer seasonal rhythm for the city
Salzburg’s Advent in 2026 is not an event that begins only on the first Sunday of Advent. The market opens on 19 November, while the cultural programme provides further reasons to visit in the days and weeks that follow. This gives travellers a wider window: an early trip to the market, a later weekend with music, or a visit in December as traditional celebrations and the festive holidays draw nearer.
Throughout this period, the Old Town remains a centre where people live and go about their daily lives, not merely an events venue. Arriving by train and trolleybus and timing a visit around the actual programme dates means planning in step with the city’s rhythm – from the market’s first day through to the turn of the year.
Original reviewed by the editors · 11 November 2026
